Small retailers in Torrington also bringing out the bargains for Black Friday

Patty O'Sullivan, of O'Sullivan Jewelry store, will be looking to help shoppers with personal service that small shops can deliver.
NIKKI TRELEAVEN/The Register Citizen

Torrington >> The day after Thanksgiving has been the biggest shopping day of the year marking the unofficial start of the Christmas season.

For millions of people, Black Friday means waking up in the middle of the night to head out to major retail stores looking for the greatest deal.

However, when looking at the history of Black Friday, it was the exact opposite of what the day after Thanksgiving means today. According to an article on ABCNews, the name "Black Friday" originated from the Philadelphia Police Department back in the mid sixties. The police hated the day after Thanksgiving because of all the heavy traffic, overcrowded sidewalks, and shoplifters from everyone taking advantage of the first day of the Christmas shopping season. The goal of the name was to make the day after Thanksgiving something shoppers would want to avoid.

Later on, retailers gave another explanation saying the day was when retailers would begin to turn profit or be "in the black," black in referring the positive side of their financial ledgers as opposed to red in the negative. Since then, the name Black Friday has had a positive meaning for shoppers and retailers.

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Not only has Black Friday translated into big dollars for the big box stores but it has reportedly improved business for local mom and pop shops -- and small businesses in downtown Torrington are preparing for the biggest shopping day of the year, offering their own incentives to draw people in.

O'Sullivan's Jewelry Store on Water Street is offering 30 percent off of purchases of $75 or more to get some business in and start the holiday off, said owner of the store Patty O'Sullivan. The jewelry store is also offering a "buy one get one free" deal on beads, 25 percent off on pearls and free gift wrapping.

Like many of the local businesses, Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of the holiday season and holiday hours. The Jewelry store will be open Monday through Saturday's 10 a.m. to 8 p,m and will be open during the Torrington Christmas Tree Lighting that will take place Friday night.

In addition to O'Sullivan's, Scents and Sensibility located on Main Street, will be offering many specials Thanksgiving weekend to kick start their holiday season.

"I'm doing a whole bunch of specials," said co-owner Holly Coelho. "I have buy one get one free and a whole clearance section. We want to sell the clearance things."

Scents and Sensibility will also have specials on Caswell Massey beauty products and many Christmas items.

"I have Christmas greenery at buy one get one free as well as a special on candles," said Holly Coelho. "I just have throughout, more things on special than you would know just coming through the door," she said. The store will also be offering a special on all WebKinz stuffed animals.

"We want people to come to the smaller stores to get good deals and service, we're offering things here," said co-owner Jorge Coelho.

"You only have one Main Street in Torrington, with a special store like ours, this is the time it really counts," he added.

A frequent customer of Scents and Sensibility said she loves the atmosphere of the store and the unique items it sells.

"It's beautiful" said Eva Santana. "(Jorge) makes you feel like family, he makes you feel wonderful, he's excellent. I love how I can find different things, I love different things," she said.

Scents and Sensibility is still receiving new shipments of merchandise and will continue to stock the shelves with new items for the next couple of weeks, Holly Coelho said.

Scents and Sensibility will begin holiday hours on Friday and will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"We need people to think about the downtown merchants," said Holly Coelho.